Balance game

ABSTRACT

The balance game includes a pivoted balance beam having marble support members pivotally connected thereto at its opposite end portions, with the support members being guided for vertical movement and adapted to support a plurality of objects, such as marbles or the like, in containers operatively associated with the balance beam. The containers have a plurality of apertures formed therein, in spaced positions with respect to each other, so that when an imbalance occurs in the balance beam, and the beam begins to pivot, the ends of the support members are moved to positions adjacent the apertures in the containers, thereby causing the marbles to fall from the containers.

PATENTEDMAY 7 I974 sum 1m 3 MTENTEMAY 7 1974 SHEET 2 8F 3 BALANCE GAME The present invention relates to a balance game, and in particular to a balance game in which a plurality of objects supported on a balance beam may be discharged from the game when an imbalance occurs.

The balance game of the present invention provides a challenging test of manual dexterity and mental perception for players attempting to attain the object of maintaining a balance beam ina relatively fixed position. In the play of the game a plurality of objects, such as marbles or the like, are placed on the ends of support arms located in apertured containers and connected to the opposite ends of a balance beam. The players must sequentially place individual marbles on the support arms in the containers in order to maintain the balance beam in a relatively fixed position. During the play of the game, as marbles are placed in the containers, the balance beam will pivot between balanced or stable positions, as determined by the number of marbles in the respective containers and the friction in the balance and support arm. mounting. Such pivotal movement moves the marbles supported in the containers adja cent to the apertures therein causing the marbles to fall from the game until a new balanced or stable position is achieved.

Accordingly, the players must utilize physical dexterity in properly and gently placing the marbles in the containers without disturbing the balance of the balance beam and also must perceive or recognize which of the two containers their marbles are to be placed in so as not to disturb the balance of the balance beam. If this action is not performed properly the balance beam becomes unbalanced and one or more of the marbles will fall from the game until the beam again achieves a stable balanced position.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a balance game which requires the exercise of both physical skill and rapid mental perception.

Another object of the invention is to provide a balance game in which some or all of the objects balanced in the game are discharged therefrom when an imbalance occurs because of an error committed by a player.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a balance game which is relatively simple in construction and inexpensive in manufacture.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: V

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa balancing game constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 isa rear elevational view of the balancing game shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof it will be seen that the balance game of the present invention, as shown therein, includes a main body member 12 having an integral base 14, and being formed of a molded plastic material. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention game 10 is formed in the configuration of a seated Indian having a vertical torso 16 and a head 18 surrounded by a simulated headdress 19. The central body portion, i.e., the shoulders, chest and upper arm portions of the figure are formed by a balance plate or beam 20 pivotally mounted at 22 on the torso 16 for pivotal movement in a vertical plane. Balance beam 20 is substantially equally weighted and substantially identically formed on each side of pivot 22 so that the beam normally stays in a relatively balanced horizontal position in the same manner as a conventional balance beam in a scale. However, although pivot 22 allows relatively free pivotal movement of beam 20, the pivot has sufficient friction so that the beam can be positioned in a number of stable balanced positions other than the horizontal position.

A pair of push or support arms 24 are pivotally connected at the ends 25 of the arm portions of balance beam 20 by pivotal connections 26 of conventional construction. These pivotal connections also create some friction in the game which effects the stable balanced position of the beam 20, as described hereinafter.

Push rods 24 simulate the forearm portions of the seated Indian, with each of the arms having simulated hands 28 formed thereon holding tomahawks or the like. The simulated tomahawks 30 each have an upper support surface 32 on which objects, such as marbles 34 or the like, may be placed during the play of the game, as more fully described hereinafter.

As seen in FIG. 1,- each of the tomahawks or support members 30 is contained within a generally U-shaped retainer frame member 36 which is mounted on and cooperates with the headdress portion 19 of the figure to form a container or chamber 38 for the support member and for the marbles 34. Preferably, the retainer frames 36 are formed of a clear plastic material and have a plurality of tabs 40 which extend into and through apertures 42 in the headdress, thereby to secure the frames to the headdress.

The tomahawks or support members 30 of arms 24 have substantially the same width as retainer frames 36 (see FIG. 4) so that no marbles can pass the support members and be discharged from the base of the frames. In addition, in order to guide movement of the tomahawks in frames 36, each of the tomahawks includes a guide pin 41 which is received in and guided by vertical slots 43 formed in the headdress. Accordingly, upon pivotal movement of balance arm 20, support arms 24 will be confined to movement in a generally vertical direction between upper and lower limits defined by the ends of slots 43.

Retainer frames 36 have a plurality of apertures 44 formed in the leg portions 46 thereof and located in predetermined spaced locations with respect to one another so that when the support surfaces 32 are located between a pair of apertures the objects or marbles 34 can be supported thereonand retained within frames 36. In this connection, and in order to facilitate play of the game, arms 24 are dimensioned so that beam 20 can be placed in a balanced configuration, with at least one side or edge of the support surfaces 32 of each arm located between a vertical pair of apertures 44, whereby the first marbles placed on the support surfaces will remain in frames 36 and not pass through the apertures. In the play of the game (more fully described hereinafter) the individual players place marbles in eiv 3 therof the containers 38, thereby trying to maintain the balance of beam 20 so that the support surfaces 32 remain in a relatively fixed position. The pivotal connections of the beam 20 on torso l6 and the pivotal connections 26 of the beam with the push arms 24 contain sufficient friction so that thebeam can achieve a relatively infinite number of balanced positions, between the limits defined by slots 43, as determined by the number and location of marbles on support surfaces 32'. In addition, the friction at these pivot points is sufficiently great so that simply placing one marble on either of the support surfaces 32 generally will not unbalance the beam sufficiently to cause it to pivot substantially. However, the amount of pivoting of the beam, upon placement of a marble on a surface 32 is a function of the position of the beam, i.e., the stability of its balanced position and the care with which the marble is placed on the support surface. Moreover, if the mar- .ble is'dropped onto the support surface from adjacent the top of frames 36, its momentum will also effect the amount of pivoting of balance beam 20.

Generally, placement of a marble in one of the containers 36 will cause the balance arm to begin to pivot slowly from its prior balanced position, in the direction of the imbalance, until a new balanced position is achieved. As a result of this pivotal movement, the

tomahawks 30 slowly move in opposite directions and unless the new balanced position .is immediately achieved by the balance beam, as a result of friction in the pivots and the number and location of marbles in frames 36, then the support surfaces 32 will move into, or pass through, positions adjacent certain ofthe apertures 44, thereby causing one or more of the marbles supported thereon to be discharged through the'apertures.

In order to further enhance the possibilities for creating an imbalance in the game, the apertures 44 in the opposite legs 46 of each retainer frame 36 are preferably located in staggered relation to one another-(Le, the apertures in the legs are not on the same levels) so that only in a small number of positions will tomahawks 30 not be adjacent an aperture 44 at one or the other of its edges 33. In addition, the frames 36 are mirror images of each other so that the respective outer and inner legs 46 have apertures 44 located at substantially the same levels with the uppermost aperture being located in the outer leg of each frame, as seen in FIG. 1.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention the top of the supportsurfaces 32 are slightly curved, i.e.,

they'are convex, so that all of the marbleswill roll by gravity to the edges of the support surface to positions adjacent the legs 46 of frames 36 for discharge through apertures 44 when the support surfaces are moved to positions adjacent the apertures. Moreover, the oppo- 'both of the frames 36 in this manner will either create a greater imbalance which causes arm 20 to pivot fur- ,ther or will create a new balance in the beam, stopping the pivotal movement thereof. If a greater imbalance is created by the initial discharge of marbles, then the tomahawks 30 continue to move until the next level in the frames 36 is reached wherein the marbles at the opposite edges of the tomahawks will be discharged. This then will create either a further imbalance in the beam or a new balanced position.

In order to receive and capture marbles 34 as they are discharged from the containers 38, the headdress section 19 of the figure includes troughs or receptacles 48 formed adjacent opposite sides of each container. These troughs include front walls 50, bottom walls 52 and side walls 53; thus marbles expelled through apertures 44 fall into the troughs on bottom walls 52 and are contained therein by the front wall 50. In addition, frame or headdress 19 includes vertically extending guide walls 55, which may be extensions of side walls 53, that direct marbles falling outof the upper openings 44 into receptacles 48 and prevent the marbles from being discharged completely out of the game.

Each of the troughs 48 is in communication with the rear of the game, through apertures 54 formed in headdress 19, and base 52 of each trough is inclined slightly downwardly towards the rear of the game to cause the marbles to roll through these apertures.

A generally Y-shaped guide chute 58 is secured to the rear of the main support frame on torso 16 and, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, is formed with a pair of arms 60 positioned in communication with each of the apertures 54. Chute 58 is generally U-shaped in crosssection, with its open end positioned against the torso 16 and headdress 19 so as to define an enclosed chute which receives marbles passing to the rear of the toy. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention the chute is fastened to the rear of the headdress by cooperating male and female members 62, 64, formed respectively on the chute and torso in any convenient manner. Each of the arms 60 of chute 58 communicates withv the stem portion 68 of the chute which serves to direct marbles passed arms 60 towards the base of the toy. Stem 68 is positioned with its lower end 70 adjacent an opening 72 in base 14 and has an inclined ramp portion 74, thereby to direct marbles from the guide chute to the front of the game. In this connection, a marble tray 69 may be connected in any convenient manner to the front of the game in order to receive and retain the marbles discharged from containers 38 into chute 58.

In the play of the game the players initially divide a plurality of marbles 34 equally among themselves and set balance beam 20 in any selected balanced position. One player then proceeds to place his marbles, one at a time, in either or both of containers 38 and adjacent the edges of support surfaces 32, in order to maintain the balanced position of beam 20 while simultaneously placing his marbles so that they remain in the containers and do not fall through apertures44 therein. Each time the player places one of his marbles in one of the containers 38, beam 20 will pivot slightly to a new balanced position, the amount of pivoting being determined, as mentioned above, by the friction in the pivots, the number and location of marbles in containers 38 and the height from which the marble is dropped onto the support surface. Thus, the player must select the container 38 and location on the support surface 32 contained therein so that such movement of the beam will not cause the edges 33 of tomahawks 30 to move into a position wherein marbles supported thereon will fall through apertures 44. I

The first player continues placing his marbles in containers 38 in this manner until all of his marbles are supporteded in the container or until he passes his turn to the next player or until the more likely event occurs wherein one or more of the marbles already in the containers 38 are discharged therefrom as a result of improper placement of a subsequent marble in a container 38. At that point the first players turn ends and he must remove all of the marbles which have fallen into tray 69, for use later in the game. As described above, when marbles fall from containers 38 beam either achieves a new balanced configuration or becomes further imbalanced causing additional marbles to fall from containers 38. Ultimately, however, the beam reaches a new balanced position and then the next player takes his turn.

As mentioned, a player has the option of passing his turn to the next player at any time'after he has placed one of his marbles in a container 38. Accordingly, when a player determines that his placement of a marble has moved beam 20 to a position of precarious balance, wherein placement of an additional marble in either container will cause marbles to be discharged from the game, he can pass his turn to the next player. This greatly increases the excitement and competition inherent in the game. It is also noted that since the game is formed of a relatively hard plastic material, as marbles fall from containers 38 into receptacles 48 and through chute 54, the game will vibrate slightly with the impact of the falling marbles. These impacts will also cause pivot beam 20 to move slightly and thus possibly move to a position wherein additional marbles will fall from containers 38.- Once a player has caused a marble to fall from a container, he must accept all marbles falling therefrom until the next player places his first marble in a container.

After the first player completes his turn, the second player begins placing his marbles in containers 38 until he elects to pass, has placed all his marbles in the containers, or has caused marbles to fall from the containers; at any'of these events the turn passes to the next player. If the players turn ends because he caused marbles to fall from the containers then he must remove those marbles from tray 69 and same them for his next turn. Play of the game continues in this manner with the players taking their turns in sequence until one of the players has no marbles to place inthe containers 38. That player is then declared the winner. Alternatively, when there are more than two players, the game can continue until only one of the players has marbles remaining in his possession.

Accordingly, it is seen that a relatively simple balance game is provided in which the players individually attempt to place all of their marbles in support members secured to a balance beam while maintaining the beam in a relatively balanced position to prevent discharge of marblessupported thereon from the game.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A balance game comprising, a plurality of weight members, a support frame, a balance beam pivotally mounted on said frame, means defining at least one pair of weight member retaining chambers operatively associated with said balance beam and at least two weight member support arms pivotally connected at one end to said balance beam, one each on opposite sides of the pivotal connection between said frame and the balance beam, said weight member support arms having free end portions opposite said connected end, said free end portions positioned in said chambers for vertical movement therein upon oscillation of said balance beam and defining weight member support surfaces, said chambers each having at least one aperture therein through which said weight members are discharged when an imbalance in said balance beam moves said support surfaces to positions adjacent the apertures in said retaining chambers.

2. The balance game as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame includes a plurality of weight-member receptacles located adjacent said chambers to receive weight members discharged therefrom.

3. The balance game as defined in claim 2 including a guide chute, located on the side of said frame opposite said support arms and in communication with said receptacles for guiding said weight members towards the bottom of said frame. I

4. The balance game as defined in claim 3 wherein said frame includes a base having an opening therein communicating with said chute at the bottom of the frame, whereby weight membersin said chute are discharged at the front of the game.

5. The balance game as defined in claim ll wherein said support frame includes an enlarged upper end portion and said chambers each comprises a generally U- shaped retainer frame having the free ends of the leg portions thereof secured to said enlarged portion of said support frame.

6. The balance game as defined in claim 5 wherein said leg portions of said retainer frames have a plurality of apertures formed therein, with the apertures in the legs of each retainer frame being located in staggered relation to each other.

7. The balance game as defined in claim 6 wherein said chambers are located above said balance beam.

8. The balance game as defined in claim 6 including two chambers having the apertures in their respective legs located in mirror image relation to each other, whereby the apertures in the outer legs of said retainer frames are located at substantially the same level and the apertures in the inner legs of said retainer frames also are located on substantially the same levels.

9. A balance game comprising, a plurality of weight members, a support frame, a balance beam having a pair of free end portions and being pivotally mounted on said support frame at a location intermediate said free end portions for pivotal movement in a generally .vertical plane, means cooperating with said support frame for defining a pair of weight retaining chambers respectively associated with the free end portions of said balance beam, and a pair of weight member support arms pivotally connected respectively at the free end portions of said balance beam, said support arms extending generally vertically and having weight member support surfaces respectively received in said chambers for vertical movement therein upon oscillation of said balance beam; said weight retaining chambers each having a plurality of apertures formed therein through which weight members on said support surface will be discharged when an imbalance in said balance beam moves said support surfaces to positions adjacent the apertures in said retaining chambers.

10. The balance game as defined in claim 9 wherein said frame includes a plurality of weight-member receptacles formed integrally therewith adjacent said chambers, said receptacles having open tops for receiving weight members discharged from said chambers upon an imbalance in said balance beam.

11. The game as defined in claim 10 wherein said frame includes a plurality of guide walls located above said receptacles and extending parallel to said chambers for directing weight members discharged from said chambers into said receptacles.

12. The balance game as defined in claim 10 wherein said frame includes a base and has a plurality of apertures formed therein adjacent said receptacles for providing communication between said receptacles and the side of said frame opposite said chambers; and a guide chute operatively connected to said frame, on the side thereof opposite said chambers, and positioned to receive weight members from said receptacles, through the apertures in said frame, for guiding said weight members towards said base.

13. The balancing game as defined in claim 12 wherein said base has an opening therein formed in communication with said chute, whereby weight members in said chute are discharged to the front side of the game.

14. The balancing game as defined in claim 9 wherein said frame has a vertically extending guide slot formed therein at each of said chambers and said support arms each has a guide pin formed integrally therewith and received in its associated slot, whereby said support cated in staggered relation to each other. 

1. A balance game comprising, a plurality of weight members, a support frame, a balance beam pivotally mounted on said frame, means defining at least one pair of weight member retaining chambers operatively associated with said balance beam and at least two weight member support arms pivotally connected at one end to said balance beam, one each on opposite sides of the pivotal connection between said frame and the balance beam, said weight member support arms having free end portions opposite said connected end, said free end portions positioned in said chambers for vertical movement therein upon oscillation of said balance beam and defining weight member support surfaces, said chambers each having at least one aperture therein through which said weight members are discharged when an imbalance in said balance beam moves said support surfaces to positions adjacent the apertures in said retaining chambers.
 2. The balance game as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame includes a plurality of weight-member receptacles located adjacent said chambers to receive weight members discharged therefrom.
 3. The balance game as defined in claim 2 including a guide chute, located on the side of said frame opposite said support arms and in communication with said receptacles for guiding said weight members towards the bottom of said frame.
 4. The balance game as defined in claim 3 wherein said frame includes a Base having an opening therein communicating with said chute at the bottom of the frame, whereby weight members in said chute are discharged at the front of the game.
 5. The balance game as defined in claim 1 wherein said support frame includes an enlarged upper end portion and said chambers each comprises a generally U-shaped retainer frame having the free ends of the leg portions thereof secured to said enlarged portion of said support frame.
 6. The balance game as defined in claim 5 wherein said leg portions of said retainer frames have a plurality of apertures formed therein, with the apertures in the legs of each retainer frame being located in staggered relation to each other.
 7. The balance game as defined in claim 6 wherein said chambers are located above said balance beam.
 8. The balance game as defined in claim 6 including two chambers having the apertures in their respective legs located in mirror image relation to each other, whereby the apertures in the outer legs of said retainer frames are located at substantially the same level and the apertures in the inner legs of said retainer frames also are located on substantially the same levels.
 9. A balance game comprising, a plurality of weight members, a support frame, a balance beam having a pair of free end portions and being pivotally mounted on said support frame at a location intermediate said free end portions for pivotal movement in a generally vertical plane, means cooperating with said support frame for defining a pair of weight retaining chambers respectively associated with the free end portions of said balance beam, and a pair of weight member support arms pivotally connected respectively at the free end portions of said balance beam, said support arms extending generally vertically and having weight member support surfaces respectively received in said chambers for vertical movement therein upon oscillation of said balance beam; said weight retaining chambers each having a plurality of apertures formed therein through which weight members on said support surface will be discharged when an imbalance in said balance beam moves said support surfaces to positions adjacent the apertures in said retaining chambers.
 10. The balance game as defined in claim 9 wherein said frame includes a plurality of weight-member receptacles formed integrally therewith adjacent said chambers, said receptacles having open tops for receiving weight members discharged from said chambers upon an imbalance in said balance beam.
 11. The game as defined in claim 10 wherein said frame includes a plurality of guide walls located above said receptacles and extending parallel to said chambers for directing weight members discharged from said chambers into said receptacles.
 12. The balance game as defined in claim 10 wherein said frame includes a base and has a plurality of apertures formed therein adjacent said receptacles for providing communication between said receptacles and the side of said frame opposite said chambers; and a guide chute operatively connected to said frame, on the side thereof opposite said chambers, and positioned to receive weight members from said receptacles, through the apertures in said frame, for guiding said weight members towards said base.
 13. The balancing game as defined in claim 12 wherein said base has an opening therein formed in communication with said chute, whereby weight members in said chute are discharged to the front side of the game.
 14. The balancing game as defined in claim 9 wherein said frame has a vertically extending guide slot formed therein at each of said chambers and said support arms each has a guide pin formed integrally therewith and received in its associated slot, whereby said support arms are guided for vertical movement upon an imbalance in said balance beam.
 15. The balance game as defined in claim 9 wherein said each of said chambers includes a pair of spaced walls extending outwardly from said frame, said walls having said apertures formEd therein, and said weight member support surfaces being generally convex and extending between said walls, whereby weight members placed on said support surfaces gravitate towards said walls.
 16. The game as defined in claim 15 wherein the apertures in the walls of each of said chambers are located in staggered relation to each other. 